Mar. 16
07:22 am JST

Is Japan any better than UK ? I don't think so. Japan isolates itself from Northeast Asia against China since 2012, and GDP drops from $6.20 trillions to $4.39 trillions. Do you know what $1.8 trillion mean ? That is 7 Philippines combined at 2012. Yes, Japan lost 7 Philippines since "nationalize Senkakus".

Mar. 16
09:04 am JST

hiragino: "inb4 anti-japan Brexiteers come and say "none of your business" but still be angry at Japanese companies for leaving UK."

How's that any different to how Japan carries out its business? Heck, even voicing your opinion on things here is met with "It's none of your business" or, "if you Don't like it you should leave" comments when the right-wing does not agree.

Of COURSE Japan is concerned! Everyone is, most specifically Britain. This is not really news.

Mar. 16
10:05 am JST

Mar. 16
10:31 am JST

Where are the Brits who prefer to live in Japan but support leaving the EU?

I'm not a leaver, but I'm much more strongly against leaving the single market, leaving a customs union, or ending freedom of movement than I am against leaving the EU. Having those benefits but not "being in" the EU, like Norway, is probably inferior to remaining a full member, but it is not a huge issue to me. I think many remainers would accept leaving the EU but retaining a very strong relationship with it.

Throwing away trade relationships with Britain's major trading partners and ending the god-knows-how-many opportunities my kids have thanks to freedom of movement strikes me as brain dead. This is not what people voted for, voting to leave does not equal automatically ending the customs union and automatically ending freedom of movement, and this interpretation of Brexit is entirely down to the Conservative party.

Mar. 16
12:03 pm JST

The UK is better off by not giving in to the domineering EU ! It is time to dump its stifling rules and petty regulations and renew agreements and make new ones.

That's the fantasy, but in reality, many EU rules will simply be reintroduced as mirror-image British rules, only with the additional trouble and cost of preparing them, turning them into law, and maintaining them. And even that isn't going to be "just as good", because we're going to end up with a patchwork of more or less the same things, but with various problematic omissions that will make trade and business a lot more troublesome. It's not going to be some libertarian utopia, or a new era of trade agreements with non-EU nations that is in some way better than seamless trade with the EU.

In addition there's the risk that Britain, with fewer rules and far less clout, is going to turn into a dumping ground for other countries' crap, including their plastics, pollutants, and toxic waste.

Mar. 16
12:14 pm JST

Maybe you should am the EU citizens für once. The overwhelming feeling would be "UK, just get out of our sight, will ya!?"

Who do you brits think you are? For more than two years you have been setting the agenda for Europe, the EU has been doing nothing else but discussing your stupid Brexit non-policies, we are spending time and money on you while you cannot make up your mind.

Just get out, for crying out loud!

Your have been holding back Europe for decades, anyway, opposing Schengen, the Euro, and God knows what else. And you have been living on our expense, all that time, not paying up your due membership fee for decades.

Mar. 16
12:57 pm JST

Mar. 16
01:18 pm JST

Norway has a very strong relationship with the EU but is not a member. Switzerland does too. Turkey has a customs union. I'm sorry but if you think completely out of the EU is the only option the UK has, you do not understand the issue.

May's deal has lost twice by huge margins in Parliament because she never discussed it with them. She drew her own red lines and is trying to bully it through with no deal as the only other option. This, as someone from her own party said the day before yesterday, is asking people to choose the "best turd".

Mar. 16
06:44 pm JST

Mar. 16
07:18 pm JST

"Language and the Geography."

Cut that down to language only! That is, after Brexit.

Japan and others are telling you that Britain is "useless" without the EU, from a business point of view. Only 65 Million people with a 2.5 Trillion GDP, living right next door to 450 Million people with a 19 Trillion GDP. Where well over 50% of Britain's trade is dependent on the EU. Where Britain's only truly domestic viable sector, (finances) depends entirely on the EU's cash, largess and willingness to let Britain deal with EU's money!

Why would China and others want to invest on a small market with one of the word's highest labour costs?

Japanese and other non EU conglomerates only came here because we were a gateway to the EU. Remove that possibility and they will think ten times about staying.

This is not a China v Japan situation where Japan's economic structure as a major industrial power (and OWNER of their own factories), and the word's highest creditor allows it to actually confront China on a more assertive way.

Again, very small market, higher labour costs. Very simple, if you are an investor. Not so if you are a Brexiteer, don;t have a clue but believe that God is British!

Mar. 16
11:25 pm JST

Peeping_Tom, confront China on a more assertive way ? Which way ? down the toilet way ? China will double her economy in another 10 years and will become the world No 1 in all ways. Can Japan claim the same privileged ? the same determination ? and the same fate ?

Mar. 17
12:12 am JST

Akie,

Japan is a massive technology powerhouse(despite JT gaijin contrary assertions); they are the word's number 1 creditor; surely even you know that! They own their own multinationals. They have the words highest reserves stashed under matresses, government bonds , post office and banks. They own 97% of Japan's foreign debt.

Not even the US gets closer, let alone China.

As far as technology and Japan, try reading on how Japanese tech controls the sensitive "bits", ie components that go inside machinery worldwide; this is not research/investigation/conclusions arrived at by the Peeping. It's all there, just try to enhance youur JT "expertise", you can do it.

China, is already slowing down, ageing faster than Japan and MUCH POORER!

I will believe you when Chinese stop journeying to Japan, for the sole purpose of buying baby food and nappies!!!

Keep on dreaming of a Chinese dominance in the near future.

The US will be still the dominant power until your demise, and probably mine too.

Don't know if yer an old bugger and how long you've still got left. I have been around since only 1987, don't particularly "like" Merkanos but they will carry on ruling the rooster.